Quote:
Originally Posted by Pavan
If you write rules, you must FOLLOW them [for any of you thinking about joining Congress one day]
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Well, but in a way, isn't that the point?
There is a discussion going on in another thread regarding diversity.
Some thought is that it doesn't matter, all that matters is that in a team, the more qualified ones should be selected. Demographics shouldn't matter, ethnicity shouldn't matter.
But in this thread, the majority made the decisions when founding our country and the majority are the ones that continue to direct and implement the decisions.
Diversity does matter. It does. It is real and it should be acknowledged. One way to acknowledge it is to become organized and to identify the numbers and figure out who is out there and how it all fits together. There was a change in this century regarding civil rights and developing them. We still have a long way to go. From my point of view, non-believers have a long way to go in getting organized and developing a voice in matters that concern them. For example, on the team when making decisions, there have been one or two members who felt strongly about a direction or approach the team should take in a certain area. The team members who organized their thoughts, their materials and made a convincing presentation could impact the team and create change. The ones that didn't had their ideas ignored. In this society, one person can make a difference. It is how that person goes about it and what they want to do.
My children attended a small Catholic school at the time the state pledge requirement was implemented. The school always had a morning assembly where the national anthem, the national pledge, and the state pledge were sung and recited. This school was Pre K through 8th grade. A vast spectrum of development, growth, and understanding represented. At any point on that time line, if one or both of my children had approached me (I was present at the assemblies) and voiced concern about reciting the pledges, there would have been discussion, questions asked, more discussion - and if all of my questions were answered satisfactorily, I would have told the child to stand quietly and respectfully and I would have spoken to the administration regarding it. That never was an issue but it is what I would have done.
I'm thinking about Bill's thoughts as a 5th grader and younger. That is an area that could be brought to the attention of the elementary school level if it hasn't already been. That the students (and parents) in those grade levels should be told they have a choice. They are and have been studying American history and government at this point befitting their grade level.
Our American society is rich in cultural diversity, belief systems, and as reflected in CD, thoughtful intelligent people. More and more, that will be reflected in our political system and its process. If it isn't, then it is no one's fault but our own.